What Is It?

We have a winner in last week's "What Is It?" contest, and there will be another winner crowned tonight on "American Idol." I've thrown in a video of what I thought was the best performance all season, from the guy who finished third.

This should come as no surprise, since the best singer rarely seems to win. I do like Phillip Phillips, who almost certainly will be crowned tonight, but I'd have rated him third behind Josh Ledet and country singer Skylar Laine. It's no secret that Idol voters have a preference for scruffy, pleasant white guys with guitars, which makes it tough for anyone who doesn't fit that profile.

But let's get back to "What Is It?" Rich offered this answer, which came closest to being correct: "I'm going to guess that it is used to prepare the hides during the tanning process. You know, to scrape the fat and such off."

Specifically, this item is known as a tanner's fleshing knife, used to scrape the flesh off the inside of the hide.

Rich now is eligible for fabulous prizes, including a Gov. Corbett bumper sticker -- Every Child Left Behind or Hooked on Frack -- or an I Ate My Way Through Musikfest With Bill White 2007 sticker. I encourage him to email me to let me know his preference, if any.

Next Wednesday, I'll offer the last item in my present stash of photos. Meanwhile, here's that video: